Settling in

When Mikael woke up on his second day at the mansion, he felt truly well rested for the first time in his thirteen years of life. During his life as a homeless orphan, he had to routinely find sleeping spots that were safe enough so that he wouldn't get mugged, kidnapped or worse while sleeping. Because of those dangers he had never had a real "good night's rest".

It was perplexing. How come he could feel so relaxed in this unfamiliar environment? Was it Siegfried's behavior? It was so different than what Mikael was used to. It felt like every word was the objective truth, making it difficult to doubt the wizard. 

Though Mikael felt that Siegfried could be trusted, there was a thought which repeatedly appeared in his mind:

"What if I'm not good enough?"

That thought kept whispering quietly in his ear. Like poison. Like a mosquito bite. Always itching and near impossible to ignore. What would happen if he wasn't good enough then?

New scenarios came to life each time it started to itch. And each time an illogical, irrational, inconceivable string of events plagued his mind. At the moment it was still early into thisnew life, but the longer it went on, the more of these nagging thoughts would poison Mikael's mind.

That meant that he had to meet Siegfried's expectations. He had mentioned that he would receive an education. Maybe that meant in magic as well? He also had some questions himself, the most urgent one being why he could only see ocean outside his window with no land in sight? What kind of location was this? That however, would have to wait at least until breakfast.

Inside Mikael's completely own room, the morning sun had begun to peek in from outside the room's window. Checking a clock that hang on the wall beside the desk, it seemed to be around eight to nine? He did not have the knowledge to fully read the time. 

He got up, changed into the clothes that he had received the previous day and headed towards the dining hall.

…

Upon entering the dining hall, Mikael saw once again the sunlight piercing through the large windows on each side of the painting of "Gaius the Hero", bathing the room in a gentle golden glow.

Inside Mikael also spotted one of the maids he met yesterday, Marianne, the brown haired one sporting a pony tail. She was in the middle of setting the dining table with plates and silverware when Mikael entered.

Marianne momentarily looked up and noticed him. She stood up and smiled warmly towards Mikael before speaking:

"Breakfast will be ready in about twenty minutes. Feel free to rest here or elsewhere meanwhile."

"O-ok."

Awkwardly nodding, Mikael replied to Marianne before leaving the room. It was still hard to talk to Siegfried and the others. Especially the women.

While waiting for breakfast, he was planning to take a walk in the meantime. It's alright, right? he thought while nervously exploring the mansion.

…

After walking for about ten minutes all he had seen was endless doors and some furniture and plants here and there in the long hallway that seemed to go on forever. All of the doors were completely identical, making it impossible to tell what each room was for. 

The flowers that were decorated here and there were yellow, almost golden and looked like roses. Yes, golden roses that beautifully rested in the vase, a perfect representation of Siegfried.

If one were to pick a flower to represent young Mikael, it would be the "Yellow Carnation". Its petals also a beautiful yellow, like the light of the sun.

With a sigh, Mikael turned around and began the trip back to the dining hall. What awaits his new life, he wonders, ponders, all the way to the breakfast table, accompanied by Siegfried, Alice, Marianne, and now also a third maid. All ready to eat the morning food together.

The breakfast consisted of egg, bacon and toasted bread. The contrast between today's breakfast and yesterday's dinner was staggering. The dinner was like a royal feast and this was like a commoner's food. However, this was not bad at all. Even if they varied the quality of their food, it was still exceedingly delicious.

Mikael glanced at the third maid that he had not met yesterday. She wasn't at the dinner as well. Who was she? 

She also wore the standard maid outfit, just like Alice and Marianne. She had blond hair in a ponytail except two golden waterfalls in the front and two turquoise colored eyes like gems between them. Just like Alice and Marianne, she was beautiful as well, with smooth white skin and a presence that seemed to fill the space around her with a gentle warmth.

Siegfried, who was wearing his signature vest with golden roses noticed Mikael's curious gaze aimed towards the third maid, Annerose. The ends of his mouth slightly curved upwards in a smile and then he proceeded to call out to Mikael.

"Mikael! This here is Annerose. The third maid of my house. Pretty, right?"

Mikael jumped slightly at the sudden call and listened intently to Siegfried's introduction. The others also turned towards them, Annerose smiling gently at Mikael when he once again glanced towards her.

"N-nice, t-to, meet you." With a slight blush, Mikael greeted her.

"It's nice to meet you as too Mikael. I hope we can get along well."

Annerose's voice was so warm and gentle. Like a lullaby. The sound bewitching anyone unprepared for her voice and her charms. Dumbstruck, Mikael was unable to form a coherent thought or speak a full sentence. Only managing to quietly stutter to himself.

"And coincidentally, by the way, Mikael. Annerose here is going to be your caretaker going forward. She'll make sure you're healthy, while also teaching you to read and write among other things. Get along, okay?"

"Y-yeah."

"Of course."

Both Mikael and Annerose answered Siegfried's request. While Mikael only managed a new stutter, Annerose spoke with warmth and clarity. And with a smile bigger then ever, she continued.

"Ahh. You sure are cute, Mikael. I really look forward to it. Is the food good?"

And with a short surprise and a call from reality, Mikael returned and answered Annerose with an awkward smile.

"Eh, thank you? And yes. I really like the food. Anything, is better really… than scrounging for a handful of food everyday in the city."

"–Oh, is that so?" Replied Marianne.

Slightly solemn, Annerose continued:

"It must have been hard to live like that… However, you don't have to worry about that anymore. You'll get plenty to eat here. We're happy to have you as part of the family."

"…Yes… T-thank you for having me…"

"No need to speak so formally. You're part of us now. It's okay to make yourself at home. We'll have plenty to do going forward." Siegfried stated with a laugh.

He put a hand on Mikael's shoulder and reassured him of how welcome he was. Even though it was meant as reassurance, the gesture made Mikael slightly more nervous.

Not long after, the breakfast was finished and Mikael had suddenly remembered to actually ask his questions. The one that piqued his curiosity the most, where they were. Where is this mansion located, and what was up with the never-ending hallway?

Once asked, Siegfried gave his answers. Firstly, the location. He said that the mansion was currently at sea, however strange that statement was. And secondly, the layout of the mansion. The reason the hallway was so long was because it's very big. Not much of a proper answer, but it didn't seem Siegfried wanted to say more about it at the moment. The look in his eyes when he answered Mikael's questions were gentle and evasive. Wanting to end the conversation then and there.

…

And now, after finishing the morning breakfast, Siegfried stood up eagerly, full of spirit and energy and declared:

"Now. It's time to start your studying. In magic that is. Come now, I have the perfect room for it."

With a nod and an affirmative "hm", Mikael also stood up and followed Siegfried out of the dining hall and began traversing the endless hallway. Though, after a very short while they quickly reached the desired door and entered the room together.

Upon entering, all Mikael could see was pure white stretching into an endless horizon. It was like looking at nothing and at the same time like looking at a wall right in front of him. An optical illusion that would take some getting used to.

Another strange room that didn't make sense. He should ask about them later since he didn't have the chance during breakfast due to Siegfried's evasiveness. This room would be used to teach Mikael magic, huh? But did he even have the talent for it? Maybe. He did have his crimson eyes that even Siegfried himself said were special. Mikael was slightly nervous, and the poison once again crept forth, commencing its verbal abuse towards him.

However, Mikael did not have the luxury to listen to them since Siegfried was eager to get things along. He started by conjuring two pillows for them to sit on, urging Mikael on. After complying, Siegfried began explaining what magic was to Mikael who knew little to nothing about it.

Their first lecture went something like this: In the world there exists a type of energy in every living thing. It is what gives life to all humans, plants, insects and so on. The amount a person has differs, but all have a minimum amount required to live. Those born with more can use the excess energy to perform magic.

The term for this energy differs depending on culture and location, like "Mana" or "Ki". For the explanation Siegfried chose the more neutral term "Magical Energy". And just like different cultures have different terms, they also use magical energy differently.

The most common way of using magic on the central continent consists of separating it into many categories, where many of these are elemental. 

Water, Earth, Fire, Ice, Air, Lightning, Light, Dark, Healing, Strengthening, Summoning and Creation.

Each person has a higher affinity towards one of these types, except for Light and Dark. These are special cases where once's affinity with them is determined by hair color. The lighter your hair is, the better you are at Light magic, and vice versa. The middle ground being brown hair. However, those with brown hair can learn both, but be equally as weak in both of them.

Since Mikael's hair is a blond very close to white, learning Light magic was an obvious choice and should be easier to master. 

"However. Even though humans have these categories, the fundamentals of magic are still the same. Manipulation, Imagination and Will. You have to be able to manipulate the magical energy, visualize what you want to do with magic and have the will to make it happen."

Ok. Mikael had got the gist of it. But how would he start his training when he had never done anything like this before? Could he measure up to Siegfried's expectations?

"First. You need to be able to manipulate magical energy. Unless you can do that, you will never be able to use magic. But because of your blood, you should have an easier time than most. The stronger mages like me can even manipulate the magical energy in the atmosphere to use magic. Though, that's way further down the road for you."

Siegfried stated this with a comforting smile on his face. A smile saying "It's okay. You got this!". Mikael's eyes widened. He could feel the trust and encouragement that was put into the smile, which made some of Mikael's nervousness die down, even though the feelings of inferiority was still there.

"I'll start by forcibly infusing some magical energy into you, making you aware of its existence."

Stating so, Siegfried stood up, positioned himself behind Mikael and put a hand on his back. A moment later, Mikael could feel the strong energy flowing into him. And so he became aware of his own energy within him as well. Like having a feeling inside his chest. A feeling of life and determination. 

Siegfried removed his hand and sat back down on his pillow. Mikael was examining himself, looking everywhere in amazement at the newfound awareness. Now that the preparation was complete, Siegfried could start teaching Mikael magic for real.

"Okay, your first lesson is to create, this!"

With that, in Siegfried's outstretched palm was a glowing ball of light, the size of a handball, a "Light orb". A Light type magic that creates a ball of light to illuminate one's surroundings like a torch. After the short demonstration, Siegfried continued to speak.

"First you must visualize the Light orb, then manipulate your magical energy through your will and have it flow constantly into your palm. Without a stable energy source, the light will go out, so you must focus."

Okay. Mikael was ready. He stretched out his right arm with the palm of his hand facing upwards and began to concentrate. 

First, visualize the Light orb in your mind. A white ball of light, a very simple shape.

Then, through concentration and will, manipulate the magical energy in the body to flow into the palm.

Continue this as long as you're able to. Maintain the image while supplying the magical energy to power the magic.

And by recreating the process Siegfried had showed, Mikael managed to create a Light orb in his right hand palm. Glowing a strong white even though the room itself was white as well. The orb was roughly the size of his fist and he did not know how good that was for a beginner compared to Siegfried's handball.

Doing his best to maintain focus, Mikael managed to keep his Light orb alive for ten seconds before he could manage no more and the ball vanished. 

Was this good enough? Did it live up to expectations?

"Very good Mikael!"

Surprised, Mikael, exhausted from his concentration, looked at Siegfried who adorned a big satisfied smile.

"This is very good for someone who has started so late. Normally, mages start training at the age of six or seven, but you, you at thirteen managed what would take at least a month!

Your energy control was a bit out of whack, but the size was indeed incredible. The reason you could only manage for so long was because you poured more than you could maintain at a much faster rate.

When learning magic, energy control is always the most important part. Master that and the rest is up to your visualization ability and the power of your will."

Mikael was happy and relieved. He managed to compare to the expectations. The stress and anxiety in Mikael became a little lighter now, but the presence was still noticeable.

They continued practicing energy control with Light orb until two o'clock and afterwards, Mikael took a bath to wash away his exhaustion.

…

After bathing and a break with lunch, it was time for Annerose to tutor Mikael. While Annerose was fetching some teaching materials, Mikael went to wait in his room, thinking about her.

She was supposed to be a caretaker, someone who by the obvious naming would be there for you and take care of you. A concept that Mikael could only imagine and associated it with something like a parent. That was what a caretaker was to Mikael. A parent.

While lost in thought, he was suddenly brought back to reality when Annerose came into the room carrying many books, pens and sheets of paper. Placing it all on Mikael's desk.

When Annerose turned towards Mikael with a smile, filling the room with warmth, she began to speak in a confident tone.

"Okay, then. Ready to learn how to read and write? That will come first, before all other topics."

Reading and writing were highly valuable skills. Mikael had to pay attention and study hard if he wanted to learn it, and as he thought himself "if he wanted to continue his life here at the mansion" he had to meet the expectations.

They sat down by the desk and Mikael began his first task of memorizing the letters in the alphabet with learning sheets and children's books. After multiple hours it was time for dinner. Here too, Mikael was unsure if he had been good enough during the lesson. 

Is it good enough? Am I good enough?

After dinner there came more studying. Hours later Mikael was so tired that he fell asleep at the desk, pen in hand and was carried to bed gently in the arms of Annerose. Laying him down and tucking him in, she gently stroked his white hair while observing his sleeping face, smiling.

This assignment was something Annerose had looked forward to. Something that could make her feel more alive and change her monotone daily routine. Having someone to care for would be difficult, but it would be better than for everything to be the same easy life with nothing worth mentioning.